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The Tigers (6-4) have been preparing for their final game of the season against the Alabama State Hornets for three weeks.

Stillman has not competed in a Turkey Day Classic and will make its national TV debut at 3 p.m. on ESPNU.

“We have played on regional TV before, but to be able to be on national TV is big for the program and the players,” coach Teddy Keaton said. “A lot of these guys were being recruited and could have been playing at other schools, but they chose Stillman, and now they get an opportunity to broadcast their talent.”

The Turkey Day Classic has featured Tuskegee and Alabama State since 1992.

In an Alabama State press release, Hornets coach Reggie Barlow said he has built a relationship with Tuskegee’s program over the years but has not had the opportunity to do so with the Stillman’s yet. Barlow expressed his respect for Keaton’s team and commended their talent level offensively.

“I think on their offense, their receivers are as good as any that we have played against in this conference,” Barlow said.

Stillman last played Nov. 9.

“We went back like it was training camp and worked on the fundamentals of football,” Keaton said. “We have been really working on us.”

The time off helped the Tigers reflect on the season and what it will take to beat the Hornets.

“We have worked on finishing, which is one thing that has given us trouble,” Keaton said. “If you look at our schedule, we win one then lose one, win again then lose.”

Keaton said one thing he always preaches to his players is that it is never about the other team. It’s about them, and they can never let the environment dictate their performance.

“We have been trying to keep ourselves focused this week,” quarterback Torrance Moise said. “Everyone has been talking about this game all week, and it’s all over the social media, but we cannot let us get to us while we are preparing.”

So what’s the game plan?

Moise said one aspect that will give the Tigers an advantage is their speed.

“We know that they are probably a lot stronger than us, but we are going to try to stretch the field out more and let them chase us,” Moise said.

Said freshman running back Rovonta Johnson: “We have been working on our tempo, and since they are bigger than us, we are going to simply make them run.”

The 5-foot-7 Moise and 5-6 Johnson are embracing the underdog role.

“We feel no pressure on us, and we can come out and beat any team that we face if we play Stillman football,” Moise said.

<p>Reaching greater heights is paramount for college athletes, and for the Stillman College football players, the chance to make a statement in today's 90th Turkey Day Classic is beyond measure.</p><p>The Tigers (6-4) have been preparing for their final game of the season against the Alabama State Hornets for three weeks.</p><p>Stillman has not competed in a Turkey Day Classic and will make its national TV debut at 3 p.m. on ESPNU.</p><p>“We have played on regional TV before, but to be able to be on national TV is big for the program and the players,” coach Teddy Keaton said. “A lot of these guys were being recruited and could have been playing at other schools, but they chose Stillman, and now they get an opportunity to broadcast their talent.”</p><p>The Turkey Day Classic has featured Tuskegee and Alabama State since 1992.</p><p>In an Alabama State press release, Hornets coach Reggie Barlow said he has built a relationship with Tuskegee's program over the years but has not had the opportunity to do so with the Stillman's yet. Barlow expressed his respect for Keaton's team and commended their talent level offensively.</p><p>“I think on their offense, their receivers are as good as any that we have played against in this conference,” Barlow said.</p><p>Stillman last played Nov. 9.</p><p>“We went back like it was training camp and worked on the fundamentals of football,” Keaton said. “We have been really working on us.”</p><p>The time off helped the Tigers reflect on the season and what it will take to beat the Hornets.</p><p>“We have worked on finishing, which is one thing that has given us trouble,” Keaton said. “If you look at our schedule, we win one then lose one, win again then lose.”</p><p>Keaton said one thing he always preaches to his players is that it is never about the other team. It's about them, and they can never let the environment dictate their performance.</p><p>“We have been trying to keep ourselves focused this week,” quarterback Torrance Moise said. “Everyone has been talking about this game all week, and it's all over the social media, but we cannot let us get to us while we are preparing.”</p><p>So what's the game plan?</p><p>Moise said one aspect that will give the Tigers an advantage is their speed.</p><p>“We know that they are probably a lot stronger than us, but we are going to try to stretch the field out more and let them chase us,” Moise said.</p><p>Said freshman running back Rovonta Johnson: “We have been working on our tempo, and since they are bigger than us, we are going to simply make them run.”</p><p>The 5-foot-7 Moise and 5-6 Johnson are embracing the underdog role.</p><p>“We feel no pressure on us, and we can come out and beat any team that we face if we play Stillman football,” Moise said.</p>